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Opinions
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—Letter To The Editor—
Wonderful Care From Local Doctors And Hospital Staff
To The Record-Courier:
On Feb. 9 I had a double knee replacement at our local hospital. I was impressed by everyone I came in contact with from the front desk to the Surgery floor. I had wonderful care from the nursing staff and the Physical Therapy staff and Dr. Eric Sandefur’s staff.
Dr. Sandefur was my surgeon and he was assisted by Dr. Robert McKim and Autumn Swiger-Harrell, PA. I was apprehensive about the surgery, but I have been pleased with my quick recovery after only four days in the hospital and few days at home. It is so great to be rid of the pain that has been a constant companion for over 8 years. I have been walking around since the 2nd day after surgery and with the help of a few pain pills, very comfortable.
Baker City is a small and quite secluded place and we are so fortunate to have St. Elizabeth hospital and wonderful Orthopedic Surgery Center. Dr. Eric Sanderfur has come well recommended by Physicians he has worked with and Patients with success stories. We are so lucky to have a Doctor of his reputation and skill in our small community.
We lived in Baker City for 20 years in the 60’s and 70’s. We moved to the Willamette Valley because of job opportunities in 1980 and spent 23 years in the Portland area. It was so great to move back to Baker City when we retired and to have health care where we actually have a name and not just a number.
Betty Lissman
Baker City
Constitutional Law Is Better ‘First Choice’
To The Editor:
In reading the recent articles about the “Tea Party” rebellion, as a form of “Vigilantism” could turn into a form of anarchy if in the wrong hands by conflict of managers (of politics) such as observed, by certain F. S. Officials, that are “killed” at the art of deception. (Mob rule?)
I would like to stress the use of Constitutional law as better “first choice” and of course the first 10 and the following amendments following Articles I thru VII (1 thru 7).
Article IV and VI (read 4 and 6) are the most important articles that bind our 3 branches of “checks and balances” – intact?
Article IV (4) Section 1, “Full faith and credit” clause as used as reference of prior court cases, but wasn’t intended to replace court law, only opinions of particular judges (not prone to “activism”, etc?) The U.S. Supreme Court has a panel of 9 Justices, as 9 opinions, but the 10th amendment can and has over ruled these people in “black robes” as “We the People”, but watch out for “mob” rule/riots by “conflict” managers despite, as seen in Hitler’s brown shirts – activist? (19390’s Era). (Conflict of law) The ”case law” against “Administrative” abuse was brought about by Fletcher Gravel Co. VS Thomas C. Jorling, commissioner and Dept. of Environmental Conservation, (ie DEQ?) of New York and the N. Y. Appellate court that unanimously held that that a mine operator (Gravel) does not have to file a new permit application to continue mining on its already permitted site when there has been no change in level or scope of operations.
This decision affirms that a government agency cannot exceed its “delegated” powers by indiscriminately over riding fundamental property rights. Instead, the court ruled the D.E.C. (D.E.Q.) is charged only with administering Statues, not expanding them at the agencies “whims.” (ie DEQ?) F.S.) (BLM), etc.
This ruling halts an unfortunate trend toward increasingly far reaching, time consuming and cost by reviews of “business” permit renewals by the D.E.C. (read D.E.Q.?). This means that the D.E.Q. (or others) cannot put time limits and/or “expiration dates” on permits?
The key is to the same level of/or scope of “ops”, as the Appellate court made in this (trial) suit that should be up held by Oregon State’s courts? As further stated; “This precedent not only applies to the mining industry in New York State, but in other highly regulated States nationwide, ( ie U.S.F.S.?), to said jobs and reduce unnecessary permitting costs and time delays, the attorneys noted. (ie DEQ’s whims?)
According to Gilberti’s (Attorney group), the impact of this decision has yet to be realized by the industry as a whole. The significance of the Fletcher Gravel Decision is that an Appellate Court, in an unanimous decision, systematically eliminated any D.E.C. (read DEQ) rationale for imposing exhaustive environmental review on long standing “operations” (How about F.S. “Plans” etc), mine operators throughout the State are elated about this victory, as observed. Actually, whether you’re a mine operator, a chemical company, or any type of manufacture – the Fletchers reasoning is applicable in the permitting process as explained by Gilberti group of a 15 attorney environmental practice group in Syracuse, New York.
The Oregon State’s DEQ has been violating this ruling by an Appellate Court by the extended use (s) of “time limits” on permits and National 40 CFR440 (1988 EPA revised rules that excludes small entities, not even consider a small business, as mandated by the Regulatory Flexibility Act (PL96) and has established itself as (?) a State’s “Czar” of sorts. They put all “checks and balances” in their one basket of “command and control” proclamations?
Oregon’s courts are by “elected” officials, not as to use of administrative law judges? Let’s clean house and put our constitution back to work and not to the U.N. Charters? Let’s put a governor of good standing to work for the people of Oregon and not a Unitary – one antral State kind of governor that collaborates with Federal Agents?
The “Partners” are another form of partisanship by Pluto Crats? Let’s not tie the “knot” of dictatorship, ? Via “unitized” central command? By executive fiat? (Czars)
Bruce Parke
Sumpter
Like To See A Tea Party With Ordinary People, Not Radicals
To The Record-Courier
I want to ask forgiveness from everyone who voted for Obama. You didn’t like the way our Nation was going, and wanted a change. I felt the same way. Each President presents a problem, but we the public are to blame. We aren’t entitled to a free lunch off of those who own business or are successful on their own. In every State we need to vote out both Republicans and Democrats. They are the ones who control our money. They are the ones who are turning us into a second-rate Country. The money they are spending is ours, and they’re selling us to other Countries.
Walden, our State Representative, is adding earmarks worse than some of the Democrats. We are broke Mr. Walden, Quit spending money we don’t have. And you, Senator Wyden, you sit back and vote party lines whether you think its good or not. You aren’t even an Oregonian! You have been living off us for over 35 years and it’s time you go!
I would like to see a local Tea Party. Not one made up of radicals, but ordinary down to the earth people who use common sense. People who are willing to go street by street and get our local people to join us in cleaning out all of our corrupt Congress! Only 19 or 20 people out of 100 like what they’re doing. That means there is 80 of us who don’t. I say it’s time we stand up and be counted.
George Wilder
Baker City
Putting Names To Faces
To The Record-Courier:
Well wouldn’t you know it, came across a familiar subject that we are all familiar with at one time or point in our lifetime give or take a few incidents at that. This subject spurred me on to make this a fun one in more ways then one to write on in fact even left the title up to The Record-Courier staff for this article...it makes me wonder how many of you if not all of you have ever walked in to a store etc....and some one looks at you and says oh and identifies you with a past so to speak, and you have to be the one to say, “do I know you?” Then they recollect the issue so to speak....and yes of course, here I am retired for the night after making a day with the window and door insulation for our next home project and half asleep, and then I remember who this individual was . Wow, told my husband that when he goes in he will see a familiar face at that and made mention of the name. Like the usual saying goes it can be either a small world after all or a big one. Chuckle.....chuckle...
So the next day had to call them to verify my findings and discussion of the previous night and made mention of remembering their name and boy if they didn’t put me to the test. I said, and that name is... and of course I hit the button right on the button. So you might say that made us on the right page at that.
Now it does pay to make mention that there have been other previous times that when you see someone standing in line at the grocery etc...and they say hi etc....you just let them carry on the conversation and let them feel like you know who they are. How many of you have done that one? Most I am sure. Then there have been other times that I have just come right out and asked them who they are and they are really good about saying their name etc.... Now the ones who I ran into recently at one of the stores regarding our class reunion coming up and all still can’t remember them from the past to say the least. So will probably will have to approach them on the basis that they rattled my cage and I can’t seem to place their name etc.
Then a friend of mine caught up with me online that I was involved with of a group of people, and wonderful group of people at that, emailed me and said she knew me and of course I had to ask her to verify things and lo and behold we had worked on planning activities etc., for this particular group when I lived in Seattle. Yes, so many incidents in which we have caught ourselves and most of you have in trying to remember the names of faces of bypassers at that.
Now if anyone can verify and put a name on whether the weather is still winter or spring or just some place in between... well guess we will soon find out come summer as to what our lack of moisture does at that.
Coffee Anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
Those Who Support Gun Control Ignorant Of Historical Facts
To The Record-Courier:
Today a hot-button issue that should not exist is gun control. That is, restrictions on the ownership, possession and the carrying of firearms. In my studied opinion those who support such restrictions are clearly ignorant of the historical facts, or are deceitful in their objective.
History of the U.S. Constitution clearly shows the intent of the framers was that all citizens should be armed. Control of the government they had just created, but wisely they did not trust, was one of their justifications. Thus, the Second Amendment to the new Constitution. Events in other nations demonstrate the wisdom of our forefathers. History shows that after outlawing private gun ownership the Soviet Union killed 20 million of its citizens; Turkey killed 1.5 million; Germany killed 1.3 million; China killed 20 million; Guatemala killed 100,000; Uganda killed 300,000; Cambodia killed 1,000,000. It is estimated that during the 20th century approximately 56 million innocent individuals were murdered by THEIR OWN GOVERNMENTS because they couldn’t resist. Could we be next?
A recent example of apparent will-intended gun control is Australia. After a year of gun control, which cost the people some $500 million, the results are very revealing. Homicides up 3.2 percent. Assaults up 8.6 percent. Armed robbery up an astonishing 44 percent. Only outlaws and police now have guns, a fact guaranteed by government. When seconds count, police are minutes or hours away!
In the United States one of the favorite justifications for control of gun ownership is violence in the streets. But such laws only make outlaws safe. Your government will have assured them that when they enter your house to rape and plunder, you will be defenseless.
The issue is not really guns, it is the right to self defense. And where there is no SELF defense, there is no reliable defense at all. You are about to become defenseless in the face of armed and evil aggressors, yet the public, you, seem unconcerned.
We do not know the motivation of those who spend millions of dollars each year attempting to disarm us. But we can see clearly what can happen if they succeed. And only YOU can stop them. Silence won’t!
Jasper H. Coombes
Richland
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—Editorial—
Technology Is Not The Answer
Man has developed some amazing technology. Powerful computers, giant televisions no more than four inches thick, miniature electronics, wireless phones enabling users to communicate virtually with anyone in the world, the Internet and the list goes on.
Some people believe technology will make the world better and safer.
Has it?
Not when you consider that sophisticated technology can be used for a bad purpose as well as a good one. Crooks use technology to steal your identity, spy on you, send viruses to your computer and a host of other disturbing consequences.
Instead of feeling safer through technology, we feel ever more vulnerable and exposed. Terrorists will use all the technology they can find to kill Americans.
It seems whatever man dreams of to make the world better ultimately backfires. Men always take something that could be a convenient and useful tool, such as the Internet, and turn it into a monster. Sexual perverts lurk everywhere in the “chat rooms,” and children are exposed to all sorts degrading filth. The Internet is literally dismantling the moral fiber of society, causing many to have a distorted view of relationships. Pornography on the Internet is degrading to men and women and causes many to view them as mere sexual objects.
It’s no wonder the evening news is filled with unimaginable sex crimes and rampant infidelity. Some young people, at a very young age, are so charged up from junk they see on the Internet that sex at school is becoming a common practice. There was a time when even high school boys treated their girlfriends with at least some respect. That attitude is quickly eroding.
Things aren’t like they used to be. The whole system is coming apart and technology has in large part only made it worse. The problem is too deep and too complex for man to have any hope of solving on his own. It will take Someone with limitless power. (DC)
—Letters To The Editor—
The stimulus saved the jobs of municipal workers, and provided additional unemployment benefits, but it has not provided jobs in the private sector. The money went to government agencies, colleges, non-profit organizations and entitlement programs. These programs will generate annual deficits of $1 trillion to $1.5 trillion for years to come. Our government has squandered our financial resources on failed economic programs, and the American work force continues to suffer.
The domestic priority should be creating millions of new jobs, and other domestic initiatives, including health care reform, should wait until the economy improves.
The Administration and Congress have to reduce the size of government; cut business taxes; and give U.S. companies incentives to operate in this country, and dis-incentives to move operations and jobs overseas.
Donald Moskowitz
Londonberry, NH
Open Letter To Hannity, Beck And Limbaugh
To The Record-Courier:
I am heavily involved in the Oregon Republican Party, the Republican Chair of a Congressional District in Oregon and a County Chair for over 10 years. I put in 15 to 30 hours per week every week (gratis) on conservative issues and supporting conservative candidates across the political landscape.
Mr. Hannity's recent leader for his TV show of "Tea Party Battles the Republican Party," Beck's berating and constant barrage that "Republicans" are not conservative enough and are as corrupt as the Democrats, and Rush's constant din that Republicans don't get it and have abandoned conservative values are all a bunch of seriously damaging untruths and misrepresentations of the vast, vast majority of Republicans.
We live out here where the political rubber meets the road and politics means lives, jobs and freedom lost or saved. The conservative movement that we are fighting for takes a huge bashing every time you guys put all "Republicans" up against your idea of what conservatism should be. You sit there in the cities in your posh dwellings and swanky studios and haven't a clue what we conservative street fighters are doing day after day in the political trenches. Selling your shows by sensationalizing differences is one thing, but lumping all Republicans in the bag with a few who constantly draw the media attention as melba toast moderates or RINO's plays right into the hands of what the Liberals and the MSM are trying to do…. Divide us and cause distrust between Conservatives.
You brand us all as not sticking to conservative principles which is overwhelmingly not true. By far, most of us are the "Tea Party Movement" and they are us. The 'new' activists in a variety of conservative advocacy groups that have sprung up, have been told for so long by you and others pundits that "Republicans" have left conservative values behind that they buy into it. Thus, they don't trust the core group that is aligned with them in most aspects of their advocacy. You don't speak for us because you have no clue who we are or what we do by the thousands of man-hours per day. These new groups are a huge source of energy, fundamental Americanism and new strength that we true Republicans are working very hard to join forces with and have join us. Sell your shows as you will, but don't do it on the backs of the hard working Conservative Republicans out here who are reaching out to all American conservatives.
Tim K Smith
Harney County, Ore.
Create And Keep U.S. Jobs
To The Record-Courier:
President Obama is promoting a new $300 billion economic stimulus program. When he took office in January 2009, he said the $787 billion stimulus program will create 3.5 million jobs by the end of 2010 and unemployment will remain below 8.0%. Unemployment is hovering around 10.0%, and the jobs promised by Obama might hit 1.5 million by the end of 2010, but during the last 13 months we lost 5 million jobs. |
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—Editorial—
We were saddened to hear of the death of Aaron Campbell, who was shot and killed by Officer Ronald Frashour Jan. 29 in a police altercation in Portland. But we think Rev. Jesse Jackson’s statement calling the incident an “execution” is erroneous given that a Grand Jury found there was no criminal wrongdoing on the part of Officer Frashour, and insulting to police officers everywhere.
No one knows for sure how they will react in a situation where it is perceived lives are threatened, and in the case of law enforcement their training for the most part dictates how situations like this are handled.
The Portland Police Department has announced that changes will be made in the way these types of situations are handled in the future, including the use of ballistics shields. It’s true, it’s too late for Campbell, but efforts will be made to help prevent something this tragic from happening again.
But for Jackson to turn this tragedy into a racial crime against humanity is uncalled for and unjust. If the U.S. Department of Justice and Congress’ House Judiciary Committee is called on to investigate as Jackson requested, it will be for them to determine if there was criminal/racial motives involved. Even if Frashour is found to have acted inappropriately, which we sincerely doubt, we really don’t think it makes much difference what color a perceived threat is. A threat to human life and safety could be initiated by a purple polka dotted alien and it would still be a threat and some kind of action would need to be taken.
Jackson was reported as saying, "What happened to Aaron (Campbell) is not a matter of black and white, it's a matter of wrong and right.” But we have to wonder if Campbell had been white or if Frashour had been African American, if Jackson would have shown up in Portland this week. Racism should not be tolerated in any form, and especially under the guise of justice.
—Letters To The Editor—
Forest Services Rules And Regulations
To The Record-Courier:
I would like to make a comment about the Forest Service and its Rules and Regulations or Code of Federal Rules (CFRs) as related to the U.S. Constitution law.
The CFRs are only supposed to “flesh out” the congressional intent of the legislative branch of our government, not the executive branch, as the executive branch only executes, not legislates.
This is called promulgate (flesh out) legislative intent as the language of proclamation has the effect of a king to direct and control instead of fleshing out intent by a legislative body of elected people, as a Republic form of government, so the Art (4) IV, Section 4, US Constitution guarantees to every state in this Union a “Republican” form of government, or elected officials to represent the people.
Article IV, Section 3, second paragraph states, “only Congress shall have the power to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the UNited States, and nothing in this constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claims of the United States or of any particular state.”
This applies to lands open to location and entry laws of the public domain to 1872 acts, as reserved from Forest Service leasing and surface related resources within the National Forest. (Forest lands reserved from system lands.)
The Forest Service likes to quote the Organic Acts of 1897 as source of authority to regulate mining activities related to federal mining claims subject to entry and location laws (1872 acts-30 US Codes).
If the 1872 acts of congress, under 30 US Codes are in conflict with the US Forest Service Code of Rules, the statutory codes preempt land agencies Code of Rules (or CRFs) conflicts of law?
The mandate to this is constitutional law of Article IV, Section 3, second paragraph states, “only Congress has the authority to make needful rules and regulations” for the property belonging to the United States. This is called the property clause of constitution law, as stated.
Art. I, Section 1 of Constitutional law states, “all legislative power here in granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives (US Statutory Codes).
Forest Service law enforcement body, under executive branch and CFR rules, in conflict with US Codes-Statues of the Article IV and US Codes - Acts of Congress (1872 acts) when in conflict, preempts Forest Service CFRs (facts).
The Organic Act of 1897 is in context (related) to Art IV, Section 3, second paragraph, designates only Congress to rules and regulations not executive branch to the property clause of US Constitution law. In proper context (in 1872 and 1897 acts).
Bruce Parke
Sumpter, Ore.
Grassroots Organization To Reclaim Our Country
To The Record-Courier:
“Liberty once lost is lost forever.” — John Adams
Last year, I was angry about the political realm and its steamroller tactics to develop a Health Care Reform package (read health insurance reform) and shove it down the throats of constituents who were skeptical of, if not totally opposed to, the package. This year, I had resigned myself to a position where I felt that things would resolve themselves.
Lately, I have heard our president talking about the economic situation while disdainfully referring to the “wealthy” as a major part of the problem. All the while, Congress is spending our money as if they were playing Monopoly. I can remember, when I was growing up, the concept presented to me, a child of a poor family. I was told that anyone who was born in the United States or immigrates here has every opportunity to become wealthy and improve his or her lot. I have many friends who have enriched their status or who have immigrated here and improved their situation.
The present political organization, not only Congress, but also the Administration, appears to be pushing the economy of the United States toward redistribution of wealth (read everyone poor). The average citizen does not have to accept this, however, and can fight for a different kind of change.
I am considering a grassroots organization with the intent of reclaiming our country. This non-partisan group would begin by examining the performance of elected officials and encouraging the removal of those who have been ineffectual. It would begin with Oregon and then provide solidarity with those throughout the United States also trying to affect change.
Is there an interest in Baker County in creating such a group? If so, please contact me at rheriza@yahoo.com. The November elections will be the people’s real chance for change.
Robert L. Heriza
Baker City
Response To Heriza Letter: Lots Of People Agree With You
To The Record-Courier:
Having read the letter from Robert L. Heriza (in today’s paper), I need to let you know you have a lot of people out here who agree with you and feel something needs to be done, the action may be along the line of the so called Tea Party or something of that nature.
One of the magazines I take is “Range,” published in Nevada and it has many articles of interest to anybody, especially people trying to make a living from any of the natural resources such as I did for 60 years. I fell our very lives as we have known them are being threatened by the actions taking place both in our state and federal governments. I have a list of things taken from this magazine that are important:
1. All people have inherent, natural, unalienable rights to life, liberty and property in the pursuit of happiness.
2. Governments exist expressly to protect these rights.
3. Government’s power derives from the consent of the governed, and is limited to those powers enumerated in the U.S. Constitution.
4. Public polices which constrain people’s rights must be enacted only by representatives elected by the people, not by appointed agency officials.
5. Freedom requires a free market economy — with minimal government intrusion.
6. Freedom and security demand abundant, affordable energy and food production, which requires high priority utilization of domestic carbon-based and alternative-fuel resources, as well as land and water resources.
7. Government has no authority to restrict or suppress nonviolent religious expression.
8. No foreign or international government shall supercede the authority of the government of the United States.
The first two articles of the Constitution have been ignored and there are many other examples where control of our country as we know it is being turned over to some world organization.
Eric Romtvedt
Baker City
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—Editorial—
This We Think...
Kudos
Kudos to the Baker City Council for selecting Steve Bogart for the City Manager position. Not only did they find someone with the proper qualifications, they found him in our backyard!
Pet Peeve
One of our pet peeves is that the hard working middle class gets left out when it comes to any government/state aid.
If you meet the low income requirements, you could get health care, heating, weatherization and energy assistance, food stamps, housing, and free legal aid. If you are a pregnant unwed mother, have a drug addiction or drink yourself into a stupor, there are all kinds of financial and emotional support programs available. If you are unemployed, you can get an education and financial aid to help with your expenses while going to school.
This is all great, but what about the hard working middle class guy who can’t afford health insurance and needs surgery? Or the single mother working two jobs to keep her head above water who needs help with childcare and can’t get it because her vehicle is less than 10 years old? How about the family who because of unexpected expenses gets a month behind on the rent? The stressed out teenager whose parents are on such a tight budget they can’t afford counseling for her?
It seems if you screw up and get fired from your job and become a suicidal pregnant meth addict, your chances of financial survival increase dramatically. And the hard working middle class, the ones who can’t afford health insurance and health care for themselves, are the ones who foot the bill.
—Letters To The Editor—
Oregon Needs Jobs
To The Record-Courier:
This morning’s revenue forecast makes it abundantly clear that Oregon families are still desperately looking for one thing: jobs. The battle cry of jobs is on everyone’s lips, but is it in our actions?
This session is more than a quarter over, and here is a partial list of what has passed the House and Senate floors:
HB 3625 - Designates May of each year as Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month
HB 3629 - Specifies length of term for which pawnbroker may renew pledge loan
HB 3672 - Designates elected county surveyor office as nonpartisan
SB 993 - Requires payday lenders and title lenders to obtain license
SB 1002 - Increases annuity coverage by Oregon Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association
SB 1047 - Exempts from premium assessment premiums earned on health plan policies delivered or issued for delivery outside Oregon
These might be good pieces of legislation, but they fail to address the number one concern in Oregon: getting people back to work. The legislature has extended unemployment benefits, but what about extending employment? There are too many families hurting to continue ignoring this issue.
Fewer jobs mean less revenue. Every declining forecast is merely a signal of the pain being felt by the 209,000 plus Oregonians who are searching for work. This legislature must address the job shortfall if they ever want to see an end to budget shortfalls.
Senator Ted Ferrioli
A Letter To Chicago’s Mayor
To The Record-Courier:
On behalf of Oregonians, in particular state business development officials such as myself, I want to thank you for your recent remarks about Oregon's business climate. We truly appreciate your good sportsmanship and sense of humor when you said the recent vote by Oregonians to raise business and certain income taxes was good news for the Windy City. In fact, you went as far as to vow to visit our state to snag a few unhappy Oregon companies and bring them back to the Land of Lincoln.
Let me welcome you by letting you know about a few things you might find upon your arrival. First, in case you have forgotten, we have no sales tax here in Oregon. Second, our property taxes, in particular those on commercial properties, are some of the lowest in the nation. Finally, I am sure you know that the Tax Foundation's recent 2010 Business Tax Climate report found Oregon to be the 14th best state in the nation in which to do business. And, yes, that was after our voters passed the tax increases.
Before you arrive, perhaps you can verify for me some facts about the business climate in your neck of the woods. Illinois ranks 30th in the same 2010 Business Tax Climate report, correct? You have some of the highest property taxes in the nation (12th) and a state sales tax (6.25%) that ranks as the 10th highest in the nation. Of course, Chicago has the highest sales tax (10.25%) of any major U.S. city and parts of Cook County levy an 11.5% sales tax. Illinois also has the 5th highest unemployment insurance tax in the U.S. I just want to make very sure I have my facts straight when Oregon business leaders ask me about the advantages they will enjoy when they join you in Illinois.
We here in Oregon want to thank you for highlighting our state's positive business climate. Did you think Oregon business owners would not realize how much more expensive it would be to operate in Chicago? We are happy to have you draw even more attention to the fact that Oregon is home to more solar manufacturers than any place in North America and was 4th in the nation last year in adding new wind energy capacity.
I look forward to meeting you and buying you a tasty Oregon beer during your visit (yes, the Portland metro area has more breweries than any place in the world) and telling you more of the many reasons why Oregon is a great place to live and to do business.
Tim McCabe, Director
Oregon Business Development Department - Business Oregon
New Appointment Is An Honor
To The Record-Courier:
Dear Fellow Oregonians,
House Minority Leader John Boehner (he’s the top Republican in the House) announced a short while ago in a national press conference that he has selected me to become the next House Republican Leadership Chairman.
In short, this is a big step, and I am truly humbled by Leader Boehner’s trust to serve in this leadership capacity. Having been a small business owner through both good times and bad for more than 21 years, I look forward to using that experience at the leadership table to help continue to make the case for common sense policies that create more jobs, not bigger government and more reckless spending.
The American people expect Republicans to develop sound policy alternatives, and I am eager to help contribute to the good work already being done in that area.
Congressman Greg Walden
Bargain Shopping
To The Record-Courier:
Not too long ago I mentioned about shopping around for good bargain prices etc. and finding good bargain prices in our local papers.
Well, I couldn’t resist in making mention of this to be my topic so to speak to let shoppers be on the alert of prices climbing once again here and there in some of our every day products. In some ways maybe boycotting might not be a bad idea. Yikes!
In going from one store to the other in our county, etc., I have noticed one price going up on our canned soups and all. In a few places you can get them for $1 and maybe a little less depending on where you shop. Now I am noticing in some instances it is over a $1. So be on the lookout for that wonderful can of mushroom soup that goes well for casseroles, etc. and over meats and all the recipes that we like to use it on.
Another item I noticed is spring water that we like to drink. I was buying it at one place and now it is over $1. This is outrageous when you can buy them elsewhere sometimes for less than $1 and up to $1. So much for the good old days of our dime stores and all. But then one can remember how much of a day’s earnings it took to buy some of these luxury items and just to keep food on our table at that.
Have noticed that our gas prices have been moderated for the past year or so and that has been pretty nice compared to what it was a couple of years ago. It seems to be stabilizing, but who knows what will happen there?
Now another problem I am concerned about is our tax increases, even on the Internet that seem to be going up at that no matter what kinda of package one has bought etc. If anyone has any ideas for a better deal of still getting the same service that we are getting thru the phone company etc., I would be much obliged for that info (Brendajames@q. com) if it is worth looking into to save a few dollars to keep from having to discontinue our Internet service. It wouldn’t surprise me if others have to make the same choice as well because of our budgets.
There are so many more issues that we are hearing about via our television etc. it will only make one wonder what is really in store for us and now the stock market seems to be on the decline at that. It was noted to be stabilizing and now that will be interesting to watch to see what happens with the auto industry, etc. — you name it!
Coffee, anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
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—Editorial—
Kill Taxes, Not Jobs
With the passing of Measures 66 and 67, Oregon has become the butt of numerous jokes. These Measures have been referred to as “Oregon's Assisted Suicide Law.” Business owners are sporting the motto, “Anywhere, but Oregon!” And many Oregon residents are calling our beloved state “Soviet Oregon.”
Even Chicago Mayor Richard Daley said, “What has happened in Oregon is not good news for Oregon” and he has publicly announced his intentions to lure employers from Oregon to his state of Illinois.
Many local residents have called the election outcome “one of the biggest mistakes that Oregon has ever made.” And several local business owners have already announced their plans to cut employee hours to recoup their losses because of the increased tax.
And proponents of the Measures said they would affect a very small percentage of Oregon’s residents, namely the “wealthy.” We don’t know how these measures have effected the large (wealthy) corporations on the other side of the state, but here in eastern Oregon, we know of at least three “small” businesses who have announced layoffs and one business owner who had plans to enlarge and hire more employees, has now terminated those plans because of the extra expenses she would incur.
One might think a handful of businesses would not have much of an impact on our small community. But when you consider that those who are layed off will cut back on the local goods and services they utilize and purchase, further hurting the local economy, and that they will probably have to move, taking their children with them, which means less state funding for schools by the way, the impact is considerable.
Any family Baker County looses is not only money out of the local economy, but the state funded jobs and services that the Measures were designed to protect will reduce in relation to a reduction in population. Chances are most local businesses have not had enough time to incur the potential financial damage these Measures will cause and it’s likely many more will have to make cuts in the near future. And Oregon’s unemployed can kiss goodbye future job opportunities that would have been afforded by new businesses who will locate elsewhere now.
While we are on the subject of state funding, does anyone remember a time when Oregon schools weren’t in dire need of funds? In spite of this, somehow the schools have managed all these years without unfairly taxing business owners or by punishing those who have managed to attain some degree of success.
State agency positions, just like small businesses fluctuate with the economy. We can sympathize with a state employee who is about to get cut or lose benefits, but why is that job any more important than someone who is in danger of loosing their job from a private business. How about the guy who is struggling to support a family on a minimum wage job or the mom and pop who are trying to keep the doors open to their business - don’t they count? They have no benefits to cut, they have no health insurance to raise the deductible on and they have no PERS to eliminate. When you dig deep into their pockets you take away their ability to feed their family.
Undoubtedly these Measures may have saved a few jobs, but is the residual destruction they have done to the economy and the working class worth it?
Now that the majority of Oregon’s voters have taxed this “small” group, how will our legislators remedy the problem next year when the schools groan and state agencies moan?
Now is the time to contact your elected officials and let them know you are disappointed in the passage of these Measures. We need to kill taxes, not jobs.
—Letters To The Editor—
Measures 66 & 67, Lessons Learned?
To The Record-Courier:
After the passage of Measures 66 & 67, I have questions and a couple of comments. I wonder what is in the minds of those children (entitlement kids) whose parents are living comfortably with one or two public sector paychecks while their neighbors who work in the private sector sink slowly into poverty? Do those public sector kids understand why their folks stay home from rallies where private sector parents fight tooth and nail for lower taxes, less government intervention and more jobs which pay into the tax rolls, not take out? Do they wonder why the unions do all the talking for their parents at their workplace? Do they understand that it takes integrity and character to publicly say, “I am tired of my private sector family carrying the weight of an entire public sector family on our backs when they earn an average of about $10,000 per earner per year more than we do?” Do they wonder why, in Oregon in 2009, private workers are outraged when in difficult times there were 40,000 private sector jobs lost and 25,000 public jobs created. Do they wonder why there is outrage when their legislature voted to increase taxes while increasing the budget when they knew funds from tax paying jobs would be down? Does anyone even try to tell these entitlement kids where the money that pays their folks salary and benefits comes from? Do they know that the government doesn’t give anything to anyone that it hasn’t taken from someone else? Do they understand that punishing the private sector kills the goose that lays the egg that bears the funds to run our schools? These are the kids that will be the future of our nation based on their observations of today. What have they learned?
After the passing of Measures 66-67, I got this from a friend of mine in Central Oregon. This will be a pattern.
“I am doing three things in response to this [M66-67] vote: (1) I will from now on call this state by its true name - the Soviet of Oregon - and suggest a campaign to promote this to the world; (2) I will never, ever, vote for a public bond issue, not schools, colleges, jails, or 911 districts on the assumption that they will only add new public employees to the payrolls and new members to the public employees' unions; and (3) I am dissolving my LLC in the Soviet of Oregon and re-establishing it in Washington.”
We face two elections this year. I ask everyone to vote and get everyone you know to vote. If the candidate or incumbent has not been there pounding on the table to stop growth of government and the private sector tax burden during this special election, vote against them. This goes from the Governor’s race down to County Judges and Commissioners. If we can’t get candidates to run against deadbeat incumbents, don’t vote for that position. Get mad, get involved.
Tim Smith
Harney County
It’s Always Something!
To The Record-Courier:
In conversing and emailing friends etc. it seems like various issues always seem to be coming up or around when we least expect them and this particular individual from back east has a knack for saying, “Always something.” So would imagine with this comment in mind, many of you can relate to this issue in more ways than one. So will try to do a catchall on this issue to make the best of how humor can be presented in this or that.
Couldn’t resist on writing a letter to the editor on this one. Even for some if not most families have every day occurrences that seem to just never stop and forever on-going and no relief in sight and you begin to wonder where is the smooth sailing that seems to suit some more than others. So much for wishful thinking. It can be this way even in our political world etc., all the confusion we face these days. We can either pretend these issues can be of value of some sort in applying to however we need to apply them. We can either choose to be positive or negative of our reactions to whatever the situation.
Here not to long ago we had a draining problem and seems to be an on-going thing and in order to keep the drain running smooth one needs to be almost diligent to make sure all the necessaries don’t go down the drain as far as our food consumption and all is concerned. Then just after painting our front part of the trailer wouldn’t you know it, after all these years we have lived here the birds decided they wanted to put the icing on the cake so to speak—awk! That is enough to test anyone’s well being, given the source. Yes of course not to make mention the other trailers managed to escape these kind of episodes. Since then the matter has been taken care of. No justification here as one would put it. Even the animals have their knowledge etc. of their character depending on how close you choose to be to the situation and can be accepting of their surroundings no matter what the condition and all that nature offers them. Our family dog has the characteristic of spinning around in circles and some dogs do, so she does appear to be a little off balance at that, but still she is our family dog from five weeks old and given her old age of 12, she knows she is loved no matter what. We will miss her depending on her life expectancy at that.
We have had our rounds of dogs etc. and not sure we will pursue anymore after she is no longer around. We are forever remodeling etc. and not to mention of our boy dog that we made the decision to give him up awhile back and all he is in hog heaven etc. of his surroundings out in the country and doing a makeover on everyone and they love him beyond measures. He needed his freedom. His previous owner has communicated with me of how he is doing and all and I have appreciated the updates on him so yes, a good decision was made in this case.
And now from home on the range to the home front , yes I will be tackling more painting on the trailer etc. in the midst of my services come summer, which by the way seems like old man winter is in the mood for being a teaser these days, minus the birds but no way to escape given their habitat. But no complaints here weather wise.
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
Litmus Tests Are For Losers
To The Record-Courier:
Litmus tests are for losers. This truism is amply demonstrated by the Oregon Republican results at the polls for years. "Litmus tests are for losers" would be a suitable mantra for ORP units at all party levels. It might even influence some independents at the polls.
Carl Kostol
Baker City
Imperative We Get On With Comprehensive Plan
To The Record-Courier:
Most people are somewhat aware that there has been a land use war in Oregon almost from the beginning of statewide land use planning started in the mid 1970s. Early on the rural counties tried to repeal it and return some control to the counties. The big push was during John Kitzhaber’s term as governor. He vetoed countless bills that would have given some common sense and local control back to the counties. This earned him the name of Dr. No. Now Kitzhaber is running again for governor.
After a long fight the legislature finally passed a will, 229, during the last session that would allow the counties to amend their comprehensive plans and correct the mistakes that have zoned almost everything outside of the urban growth boundaries as valuable farm, forest or grazing land, no matter how poor the quality of the land is.
Baker County is now looking at its zoning ordinances, many years late, but the real attention should be paid to the comprehensive plan and with a possible return of John Kitzhaber is imperative that we get on with it. The county will tell you there is no money. I say find it. You are in violation of at least the spirit of the law that required review that has never been done and most likely you are in actual violation of the law and those who oppose the control from the I-5 corridor should consider a lawsuit to compel some action.
Steve Culley
Richland
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—Letters To The Editor—
Save Money At The Pump
To The Record-Courier:
Consumers’ chronic pain at the pump is returning with gas prices 67 percent higher than a year ago and probably heading back toward $3 a gallon soon. While you can’t control the price of gas, you can control how much gas you burn by performing proper maintenance and how you drive. Performing simple and inexpensive maintenance can save as much as $1,200 per year in gas costs.
The Car Care Council offers these gas-saving maintenance and driving tips:
Keep your car properly tuned to improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.
Keep tires properly inflated and improve gas mileage by 3 percent.
Replace dirty or clogged air filters and improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.
Replace dirty spark plugs, which can reduce mileage by two miles per gallon.
Change oil regularly and gain another mile per gallon.
Observe the speed limit. Gas mileage decreases rapidly above 60 mph.
Avoid excessive idling. Idling gets zero miles per gallon. Warming up the vehicle for one or two minutes is sufficient.
Avoid quick starts and stops. Aggressive driving can lower gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and 5 percent in the city.
Consolidate trips. Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much gas as one longer multi-purpose trip.
Don’t haul unneeded items in the trunk. An extra 100 pounds in the trunk reduces fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent.
To help you drive smart and save money, visit www.carcare.org and check out the free digital Car Care Guide.
Rich White
Executive Director
Car Care Council
Bethesda, MD
Less Safe On Obama’s Watch
To The Record-Courier:
As a former naval intelligence officer on a high level staff (Top Secret Cryptographic clearance), I agree with President Obama that the breach of security associated with the Detroit-bound airliner is “totally unacceptable.” The warning signs were there, but the intelligence community failed to recognize, analyze and disseminate the information. This is the same type of failure that led to the 9/11 attacks and the Ft. Hood massacre.
Although only a small percentage of Middle East inhabitants are terrorists, almost all of the terrorists emanate from Middle East countries. We have to pay much more attention to travelers to this country from the Middle East and a few other countries, and our Department of Homeland Security has to work with foreign airports to beef up their security operations. We need many more intelligence officials who are proficient in Arabic and who can penetrate al Qaida networks in various countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen.
Unfortunately, the Bush Administration transferred a number of Yemini terrorists from Guantanamo Bay back to Yemen, and at least one of them was involved in the planning for the attack on the Detroit-bound airliner. President Obama wants to close down Guantanamo and transfer the terrorists to the U.S. mainland for prosecution. Will these terrorists be convicted of their crimes? Will they be executed? If not, how long will they stay in prison? Will they be eligible for parole? Will they spread their hate for the U.S. to other inmates? Why take a chance with these hardcore terrorists? Keep them in Guantanamo.
We need President Obama to stop appeasing the leaders of countries that sponsor terrorism including Iran, Syria, and Somalia; and he has to cease bowing to leaders of the world, and appearing subservient to them. These actions are construed by terrorists as signs of weakness, which give the terrorists inspiration to attack us.
President Obama weakened the CIA operations, and the intelligence agencies in general, when he criticized the CIA for its interrogation techniques. Although some of these techniques might be unacceptable to the world community, we have to be able to somehow access information from captured terrorists. I believe the recent failures of our intelligence agencies to provide warnings of potential terrorist activities can be partially attributable to some apathy and lack of initiative within the intelligence community, and President Obama bears some responsibility for the climate of distrust among intelligence officials.
Janet Napolitano is not qualified to fill the position of Secretary of Homeland Security. We need a professional intelligence/security person in this critical position. Unfortunately most high level federal positions, including cabinet positions, go to unqualified politicians for payback for supporting the President during the campaign.
Note: The President was deeply involved and approved the people for these positions.
The U.S. is less safe on Obama’s watch, and we could be susceptible to on-going terrorist attacks due to an appeasing and apologetic President, incompetent Secretary of Homeland Security, and weakened intelligence agencies.
P.S. Bring on the body scanners. At my age it could be exciting.
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
City Council Members Need To Be On Same Page
To The Record-Courier:
The papers are full of complaints about our City Council. But hey, look at what a good distribution of people are willing to serve! We have two who own businesses. We have, I think, a retired BLMer, retired judge, which makes two retired public servants, two what you might call long-time local citizens and one entrepreneur turned public servant. They each seem to think they have the only way to run the City. It would be great if they all tried to be on the same page.
I suggest, as a group, they purchase, "Leadership and Self Deception," a book from The Arbinger Institute that teaches you how to think outside of your box of self deception. It can be purchased locally.
Since it is our understanding the new City Manager is not coming, and under the current shortfall of money nationwide, it would appear that our City Council should not waste our tax dollars by hiring an Interim Manager. Since Ms. Watkins has the title of Assistant City Manager, and had a pay raise, let her perform the job. I'm sure she is capable of keeping things under control until a new one is chosen. If the Council doesn't think she's qualified, take away her raise in pay, and then hire someone else.
George Wilder
Baker City
Stop This Nonsense!
To The Record-Courier:
After reading your Jan. 14 article on the appalling conduct of the City Council, I sent them the following letter. Baker City is well on its way to becoming the focal point of Oregon Tourism. Let’s not retreat to a ghost town. Has no one there, the intestinal fortitude to tell the emperors that “They have no clothes?”
To the Baker City Council:
You are fools, all seven of you. You were elected to make Baker City a successful city, providing services for your constituents and inviting business and tourists to your community to assure that success. Instead you choose to circumvent the law and act like small children who do not get their way. You were elected to work as a team, whether you personally like it or not. The people of Baker City deserve better.
Now you are falling off a precipice again. If you wait for a man who cannot give you a time or reason for when he will arrive, in your city, you will only exacerbate the problem. No candidate can be successful on a 4 to 3 vote, let alone put up with your infighting.
Stop this nonsense, get your act together and accept your responsibilities to work together and make your city successful, or all of you resign and let people who care about the city take over the council.
I am a part time resident of Baker County and you are an embarrassment to us all.
Patsy Wiemken
Baker City
Measures Take Wealth From Main Street, Not Wall Street
To The Record-Courier:
About Measures 66 and 67, it’s more about redistribution of wealth, to take the wealth from Main Street (not Wall Street) and redistribute to political empires via unions, Sierra Cub, etc., for leftist organizations (NGOs).
It was just a few years ago these same “principals” of radical far leftist activists were advocates to mandate via governor’s office and its enforcement (executive orders) etc. to place black boxes in all citizen’s cars of Global Positioning system devices (GPS monitoring) that would be compatible to the “cap and trade” or soot taxes. The governor’s office was jumping the gun in a manner of speech. Another tax scheme?
Now with the layoffs at Durkee lime pit mine and the county loss of revenues due to a Main Street layoff there, the county has to look for another source of revenue. These are union members of a “private” entity (corporate status) that can outsource this work to foreign entities in global markets.
What’s “bizzare” is their “union,” unlike the political unions of government employees unions, in that unions mandate their members to vote Democrat or else (coercion and duress?). Now we all know who controls the executive branch and the State’s legislative body of politics don’t we? Demos, just like the White House. The radical eco squads, via union mandate to get its members to shoot themselves in the foot to this bizarre practice and egress to citizen’s taxes (Measures 66 and 67).
We know that the arm of government and entities that depend on handouts from the public till get their financial resources right off the taxing (top) chain, where as the private sector that relies as to profits they are taxed on their profits that would be unsustainable climax of a system that feeds on itself would collapse under its own weight (Democracy at work?).
We would ask them what could drive them even further into deficit and debt than a staggering increase in the imposition of new and massive bureaucracies, new laws and regulations, new and complex taxation (advocates of the devil?).
If small businesses function less profitable, they will hire fewer taxpaying workers and pay fewer taxes themselves. At the same time, if government is forced to hire great numbers of new beurocrats, set up multitude of new regulator bodies and arrange for new implementation of these laws, then their costs must rise and the combo of rising expenditures and lessening taxes (revenue) would only add to the array of difficulties already inherent. Would outsourcing jobs to China be the answer? What goes around, comes around.
Bruce Parke
Sumpter, Ore.
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—Editorial—
City Manager — To Be Or Not To Be
Will this matter ever be resolved? We understand Tim Johnson’s need to be with his family during an illness, but life happens to all of us. We all have tough decisions to make. He needs to decide what is best for his circumstances and either take the job or not. The City Council needs to give him a reasonable amount of time to make arrangements and move, say 30 days, to begin the position, with an immediate commitment to have his seat planted at his desk at the end of that 30 days.
Mayor Dorrah reported that he had assured Johnson that the Council understood his situation and would keep the position open for him. However Dorrah said there is no way to know when that might be.
If any of us were offered a job at a local business, and we told the perspective employer we didn’t know when we could start — what do you think are the odds of them holding that job open for? We’re betting close to none... with the high unemployment rates around the country there are dozens of qualified applicants lining up for every position available who can start immediately.
Undoubtedly a city manager position is a tough one to fill, but surely there is someone qualified who can offer a more reasonable time frame other than “no way to know.”
Either Tim Collins or Steve Bogart are qualified to continue as an Pro-tem City Manager until Johnson arrives, but what happens if after a few months Johnson still needs more time or decides he can’t manage it at all in view of his circumstances? Baker needs a full time, permanent position, city manager now, not at some undermined date in the future.
We have nothing personal against Tim Johnson, but when three City Councilors say they would not hire Johnson because of information discovered in his background check, that makes the hairs stand up on the back of our necks.
The other four Councilors contend that there is nothing in Johnson’s background check that would prevent them from hiring Johnson. O.K., we’re willing to buy that, but if there is, as Councilor Bonebrake said, nothing indicating “illegal or inappropriate conduct, law suits, or other major problems in Johnson’s 30 years of public service,” why is his background check such a big mystery? When people or organizations fail to disclose information pertinent to a public position, it makes us think there is something to hide.
Even though the city manager is not an elected position, it’s supported by taxpayers and as such Baker City’s citizens should know what kind of person is being hired to take care of their interests... that is if he ever takes the job...
According to most prospective employers Johnson already has two strikes against him — it appears the Idaho firm that conducted Johnson’s background check recommended the City Council not hire him, and Johnson apparently doesn’t know when he can begin the job.
—Letters To The Editor—
Harney County Will Have Another Tea Party
To The Record-Courier:
Harney County and Southeast Oregon citizens hosted their first People’s Tea Party on Saturday the 9th of January. About 300 citizens gathered in Burns, Ore., despite typical cold winter conditions, to listen to and question 12 speakers from across Oregon about the issues that are facing Oregon and the Nation today. This turnout was a truly amazing turnout for the small community.
The emphasis was on the tax measures 66 and 67 and controlling the infringement of government on the private sector. Other topics of concern were: cap and trade, education, water, job creation, patriotism, federal control of health care, freedom of speech and voter importance. Participants included: The Cascade Policy Institute, Oregonians In Action, FreedomWorks, Americans For Prosperity, Harney County 9/12, Harney County Republicans, Oregon Firearms Federation, Senator Ted Ferrioli, Allen Alley, Common Sense for Oregon and Voter Impact Project. Local citizens participated with the speakers in four public comment and question and answer periods.
All speakers had some firm common opinions. They warned that passing measures 66 and 67 would be economically disastrous for Oregon and that these measures were not at all about cutting education, as suggested by ads; they encouraged all citizens to stay involved and be more informed; and were glad to see that Harney County is clearly concerned about its future.
After 5 hours of presentations and discussions about the need for changes in our government, the participants completed the program with a pledge adapted from the Declaration of Independence. The participants stood and solemnly pledged; “We here assembled do pledge to right these wrongs, to return our Nation to the people and to reaffirm and reinstitute the principles of our Founding Fathers and Constitution;
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor.
Unfortunately for those who could not attend, no media chose to cover the event.
Sponsorship for the event came solely from local citizens and organizations. A second Harney County People’s Tea Party is planned for late summer 2010.
Tim K Smith
Member, Harney Tea Party Committee
Spring Anyone?
To The Record-Courier:
Well once again, I know it has been awhile since I wrote a letter to the editor. I appreciate those who have made mention of not seeing one, not to mention messages via email. It was a nice surprise at that with so many things going on and losing a loved one in our family etc., it doesn't give me much ump to pick up the pace so to speak. It amazes me that all the funeral services that took place during the week, including my aunt’s who was a longtime resident of many years, had perfect weather, etc. Even the surroundings of what she experienced in passing on was beautiful at that. Even though we experienced the loss we know she lived a good life, lived one day at a time, and is in a better place in heaven and resting peacefully.
In mentioning spring, it seems like spring at that, but we know none to soon that we usually get a good blast of winter weather before spring actually sets in. It does make one wonder what the ground hog is thinking about in all of this and whether or not confusion in his mind's eye is taking place, and if he’s wondering what in the world is going on here. In some places in Portland, early flowers are thinking just that and trying to bloom. This has been a mild winter and nice for even getting out on occasion to have morning coffee and see something different for a change.
It is interesting to note how many snowbirds go to Nevada, and not to mention Arizona, etc. Too bad they didn't have a city called Baker City, Arizona, or Nevada — that would be quite the match for competition.
With the recent earthquake in Haiti, and all that they are facing it sure helps to keep things here at home in perspective and to be so thankful for what we have in our location. I would encourage anyone who can help support thru the right charities etc. to give and all to help these people in need. I would like to be involved in some way if anything is taking place as far as sending goods etc. that they need. I’m hoping to read something in the paper in making connections to be able to do what we can, but one does need to be careful to avoid scams as such as well.
You know it is fun to play detective in a positive way rather than the negative when it comes to figuring out who is who in doing what I do for my ironing and typing services. It’s interesting in placing names etc. and sometimes they can be different in spelling, but almost have the same speaking terms at that. Eventually putting things together in retrospect comes thru at that. So all is not lost.
So there you have it in a nut shell not to mention feeding the squirrels etc., which we have seen here and there and noticing their activity, sensing their direction of finding their winter supply of nuts wherever they were buried. It could be a little more than confusing at that and one would soon believe this is a case of a squirrel missing his nuts. And yes looking out my dining room window wouldn't you know it, the squirrel knew he was being talked about and was starring at me and saying gotcha ya. Squirrels have a way of getting around at that. Awk!
Coffee Anyone?
Brenda Dickison
Baker City
Vote No On 66 And 67
To The Record-Courier:
I am a student at Baker High School and I have some things to say about measures 66 and 67 coming up for a vote in just eight days.
In spite of the current economy, our Oregon State Legislature has gone against voter-mandated tax freezes and increased overall state spending by $4.7 billion dollars. That is a costly 9% increase. Instead of paying heed to our 13% unemployment rate and obvious loss of income and businesses our legislators have voted to raise taxes by $733 million on business and personal income. Independent economists have estimated these permanent tax increases would cost 70,000 Oregonians their jobs (Source Oregon Employee Department). These tax increases are also retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009. No money to cover this tax increase has been withheld from Oregonians’ paychecks during all of 2009. If that isn’t frightening enough, to add insult to financial injury, Oregon government employees increased their salaries by $259,000,000. (Source Department of Administrative Services), that’s right… millions, which coincidentally, is about 35% of the tax increase for 265.2 thousand government employees.
Legislators claim, as always, that their plan only taxes the rich, which “the rich” can no longer afford any better than the middle class or poor, and why? The new corporate tax would tax businesses up to $100,000, even if they didn’t make a profit. More than 70% of the proposed personal income tax increase applies to small businesses owned by individuals, “the rich people.” Small businesses would be forced to lay off their workers, reduce wages and benefits, or close their doors. Some farmers will be especially hard hit. The Department of Revenue says these measures would create double taxation on certain farmers who are members of cooperatives, so much for that claim from our legislators and activists. Now middle and poor class are also affected by the legislator’s dishonest claims. We’ll end up paying more for groceries, gas, medical, and other services, and that will negatively impact all Oregonians. The Oregon state government has $3.3 billion (Source Oregon’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report) (CAFR) in a fund called a rainy day fund that was to be used in a time of recession or economic distress. They have not spent it, but they still are raising taxes to cover short falls they themselves have created at a time when entire families are out of work. We can’t afford taxes that will cost us our jobs.
As a student, I find it irresponsible for Baker 5J School District to push voters to support measures 66 and 67. How can they justify the damage that these tax increases would bring to this county and state, especially when they are well aware of the state of Baker County’s economy? The Farmers and businesses of this county are fighting to stay afloat and give us jobs and the State of Oregon is going to drown them with more taxes. Where is the School District going to get their tax revenue from when there are no more “rich” businesses to pay taxes? “I know,” they will probably raise more taxes in the spring legislature.
Some say that this is a just and fair tax on the rich, but I say it’s a tax on all hard working Oregonians. The campaign for measures 66 & 67 are outspending us 4-1. Now where is this money coming from, ACORN? Government employees? Unions who are already being exempt for every tax imaginable by our federal Congress and state legislature, (pay increases, Cadillac heath care plans, and retirement plans.)?
Did you know the campaign in support of measures 66 & 67 received $1.5M from the Oregon Education Association, “our tax dollars at work” instead of buying books, keeping academic courses available.
There is a lot of greed, waste, and consolidation of state power over the people of Oregon in these tax increases. Incredibly, some people believe that if these measures don’t pass, government jobs and agencies will be cut, which will be done anyway. We know this practice already from repeated experience coupled with that $256 million dollar pay increases, “just to keep current service levels going.” This is what legislators and supporters of measures 66 & 67 don’t make clear.
Don’t be fooled by these scare tactics. I don’t know about you, but am not getting a pay increase.
As a student at Baker High School and first-time voter, join me and local businesses by voting NO on measures 66 and 67.
Kyle Knight
Baker City, Ore.
Open The Coffers, Salem
To The Record-Courier:
With more than $400 million in the “Rainy Day” reserves, why does our Legislature want to continue to raise taxes on small businesses and individuals?
A gross income of $250,000 per year for a business does not take into consideration the costs of materials and wages to employees. By the time these costs are paid, there is not sufficient net profit to continue to remain in business. So the answer is to go out of business and let the so-called “fat cats” pay for all of those who used to be contributing to the economy who are now forced into the long line taking from it.
So, in a nutshell, those who continue to pay their way will have to pay more while Salem sits on a pile of cash and demands more, while killing private sector jobs and adding up to 1,500 new state jobs in the next two years! And who gets to pay? If you buy gas for your car or groceries for your table, you do!
Consider those who are the largest supporters of Measures 66 and 67. Check your Voters’ Pamphlet and see on pages 33-34 the list of those who advocate a “Yes” vote. Those who are afraid to lose all of the Cadillac benefits they have garnered for themselves. Some of these groups have spent their members cash on nothing but a political agenda instead of helping those who they profess to represent.
Now is the time to vote “NO” to the continued greed of big government; and what better place to start than with a resounding “NO” on Measures 66 and 67? Let’s stop OUR bucks here and now.
“As parents, we can have no joy, knowing that this government is not sufficiently lasting to ensure any thing which we may bequeath to posterity: and by a plain method of argument, as we are running the next generation into debt, we ought to do the work of it, otherwise we use them meanly and pitifully.” —Common Sense, Thomas Paine.
M. A. Longwell
Baker City
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